Gastrin-releasing peptide gene products in midtrimester human fetal lung with and without maternal smoking history during pregnancy.

A preliminary morphological study on human fetal lungs with positive maternal smoking history demonstrated alterations of the neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs). We studied human fetal lung tissue between the gestational ages of 12 weeks and 19 weeks, comprising 12 cases with a smoking history during pregnancy (Group 1) and eight cases without a smoking history during pregnancy (Group 2). We demonstrated, by immunocytochemistry, the presence of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) gene products: GRP 14-27 in all 20 cases, and C terminal peptide of pro-GRP (C-flanking peptide) in 17 cases. Quantification of the neuroepithelial cells (NECs) was made by computer-enhanced image analysis using the Context Vision system, expressing 1) the total stained areas of the NECs per unit area of section and 2) the total staining areas of the NECs per unit area of airway epithelium, measured as the area of cytokeratin immunoreactivity in an adjacent section. The results show no statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 2 for either GRP 14-27 or C-flanking peptides. The apparent lack of influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the expression of GRP gene products in the NECs could be a reflection of inherently reduced reactivity of the cells during the gestation period studied. However, a larger series is needed before any conclusions can be made. Alternatively, the adverse effects of smoking might be reflected during the canalicular phase of lung development; an increased immunoreactivity appears to be present during that period. The expression of pro-GRP gene products in the pulmonary NECs of older fetuses and neonates with maternal smoking history during pregnancy requires further study.